Why are some Japanese always dabbing at their faces?

… both with the little (and sometimes not so little) towels they carry round with them, and with the very popular special paper for removing oil from your face.

I don’t think this is the main reason, but many Japanese salarymen wear vests all year, apparently to avoid any hint of a nipple being seen through their white shirts. Some of them also use special pads in their armpits to absorb sweat. Not sure why they think that is a good idea, because it just seems to lead to all the sweat coming out of their foreheads…